ARMY chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido yesterday likened New People’s Army (NPA) rebels to mosquitoes, saying the communist insurgents are no longer as formidable as before.
“They are no longer that big (in number),” Galido said in a radio interview, referring to members of the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which is pursuing an armed struggle for 54 years.
Recent military estimates placed the NPA strength at around 2,000 men throughout the country. The military is aiming to dismantle remaining NPA guerrilla fronts this year.
“They are like mosquitoes. If they bite you, it’s going to hurt,” said Galido, adding the military continues to be vigilant against the threats posed by the insurgents.
“They are not formidable like before… They are no longer that strong compared to my younger years in the service,” he adding NPA rebels are no longer capable of occupying a road and raiding a municipality.
Galido’s remarks came after five government militiamen died and two other militiamen and a soldier were injured in a firefight with NPA rebels in Tagkawayan, Quezon last Friday.
Reports said the troops were conducting patrol in the area when an estimated 60 to 70 rebels detonated anti-personnel mines before opening fire at the troops.
Galido said the rebels are now merely hitting “soft targets” to project presence.
